Throughout the year we set aside certain days to devote ourselves as a church family to prayer and fasting. Fasting reminds us of our need for the Lord and connects the spiritual work of prayer to our physical bodies. If you have never fasted before, check out the resources below.
This winter we are praying in particular for our Ephesians series Una Familia and a new season of unity, diversity, and maturity in Christ.
During the day there will be several opportunities to pray with others as well as a Prayer Guide for praying and fasting for our church and the world. Pray on your own, with your household, and together at one of these times.
Peace,
Parish Council
Erika Solgos, Cory Whitehead, Rachel Greene, Daniel Miller, Jason Kircher, Father Trevor McMaken
Noonday Neighborhood Prayer Walk
12:00pm - 1:00pm, Hill Elementary (Park on street not in the Hill Parking lot and meet at corner of Penn & Illinois)
Evening Prayer & Eucharist
7:00pm - 8:00pm, Daniel Miller's Home (209 N. View St.)
Fasting, podcast by Word and Table Podcast
Why and How to Pray and Fast article by Bishop Stewart Ruch III
Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. We pray:
•For church unity in witness and service; for our Anglican church family around the world, for our Aurora church family throughout the city
•For our Bishop Stewart Ruch and Mama Katherine, our Pastor, Father Trevor and Pastor Bonnie, and all the people of this diocese of the upper midwest
•For every household at City of Light
•For every child and youth
•For every marriage to be strengthened
Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. We pray:
•For Donald Trump, the President of the United States
•For the Congress and the Supreme Court
•For all who serve the common good
•For our mayor, Richard Irvin, aldermen and women,
•For those who serve the poor in our city
•For Hill Elementary, Principal Beth Smith, and the surrounding neighborhood, for Kids Hope mentoring mentors and prayer partners and leader Cory Whitehead
•For ESL at Hill, the adult students, children, our team and leader Erika Solgos; for our partner World Relief
Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your dominion may increase, until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We pray:
•For the hungry and the homeless, the poor and the oppressed
•For the sick, the wounded, and the crippled
•For those in loneliness, fear, and anguish
•For those who face temptation, doubt, and despair
•For the sorrowful and bereaved
•For prisoners and captives, and those in mortal danger
•For immigrants and refugees
•For racial reconciliation in our country, city, and in the church
Gracious God, the comfort of all who sorrow, the strength of all who suffer: Let the cry of those in misery and need come to you, that they may find your mercy present with them in all their afflictions; and give us, we pray, the strength to serve them for the sake of him who suffered for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray for all who have not received the Gospel of Christ;
•For those who have never heard the word of salvation
•For those who have lost their faith
•For those hardened by sin or indifference
•For those who are enemies of the cross of Christ and persecutors of his disciples
•For those who in the name of Christ have persecuted others
•That the Lord would teach our church to love our diverse neighborhood and reflect the beauty of that diversity
•For our disciple-making groups and one-on-one disciple-making partnerships
Merciful God, creator of all the peoples of the earth and lover of souls: Have compassion on all who do not know you as you are revealed in your Son Jesus Christ; let your Gospel be preached with grace and power to those who have not heard it; turn the hearts of those who resist it; and bring home to your fold those who have gone astray; that there may be one flock under one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God of unchangeable power and eternal light: Look favorably on your whole Church, that wonderful and sacred mystery; by the effectual working of your providence, carry out in tranquility the plan of salvation; let the whole world see and know that things which were cast down are being raised up, and things which had grown old are being made new, and that all things are being brought to their perfection by him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.